Eighteen-year-old full-back or winger Owen, who has scored 24 tries in 44 first-team appearances for the Tigers, is available after recovering from a calf injury.
Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "Ritchie has had a calf strain but he has trained okay over the past week and he is very keen to have a run out, so I have added him to the squad and he'll feature against Gateshead."
Three of Castleford's off-season recruits are set for an appearance.
Ex-St George-Illawarra half-back Rangi Chase, former Hull KR hooker Kirk Netherton and one-time Featherstone and Sheffield three-quarter James Ford are in a stronger-than-normal 24-man squad named by Matterson.
Established engage Super League stars Michael Shenton, Kirk Dixon, Ryan McGoldrick, Ryan Boyle, Liam Higgins, Craig Huby and Joe Westerman are in line for a run in the festive friendly.
And fringe first-team squad members Nathan Massey, Jordan Thompson, Joe Arundel, Jamie Cording, Ben Gledhill, Jon Davies and Jon Walker are also set for a Christmas hit-out, with the rest of the squad made up from last year's Academy sides.
The full squad is Owen, Thompson, Richard Jones, Shenton, Dixon, Ford, McGoldrick, Chase, Boyle, Netherton, Higgins, Billy Harris, Huby, Westerman, Adam Fairhead-Kay, Massey, Gledhill, Jonathan Walker, Cording, Davies, Scott Turner, Michael Kelly, Gareth Pountney, Josh Atkinson.
Matterson said: "It is still early in our pre-season preparations but the guys are up for some match action and we are expecting a competitive hit out.
"I'm sure that our fans will be looking forward to seeing some of the new signings.
"Rangi (Chase) hasn't played for quite a long time. He didn't play hell of a lot of footy after he signed here. He's heard a lot about what the crowd's like here and he's looking forward to it.
"It is also a good opportunity to have a look at some of the very promising young players coming through. It will give the young guys a little bit more experience."
Gates open at the Jungle at 10.45am, with the Tigers Bar open from 11am. The match kicks-off at 12.15pm.
Admission is £10 adults (£5 concessions). Transfer to the stand is £2.
Meanwhile, Castleford's Magic Weekend match-up with Hull FC at Murrayfield was yesterday confirmed as one of the event's four Sunday (May 3) fixtures.
It is the second game of the day. Huddersfield Giants v Celtic Crusaders open Sunday's bill, followed by Cas-Hull FC, Catalans Dragons-Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves-Hull KR, which is the final match of the weekend.
Saturday's running order is Salford Reds v Harlequins, Wakefield Wildcats v Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors v St Helens.
Kick-off times have still to be confirmed.
The RFL has launched a website dedicated to the Edinburgh extravaganza.
The site includes details on getting there, where to stay and lists many of the attractions on offer in the Scottish capital.
Weekend passes for all seven games start from £25 (£10 concessions), although all engage Super League season ticket holders are also entitled to a 50 per cent discount voucher, enabling them to buy tickets at half price.
Clubs should have day passes for sale in the New Year. Prices start from £15 for adults and £5 for concessions.
For more information on ticket sales, telephone 0871-2261313 or visit www.themagicweekend.co.uk